A Region in Turmoil

A Region in Turmoil: South Asian Conflicts since 1947
An image of the book cover for this book
Book cover
AuthorRob Johnson
SeriesContemporary Worlds
SubjectHistory of South Asia, Insurgency, Postcolonialism, Military history
GenreNonfiction
Set inSouth Asia
PublisherReaktion Books, and University of Chicago Press
Publication date
2005
Publication placeEngland
Media typePrint, E-Book
Pages268
ISBN1861892578 and 9781861892577
OCLC59356415
LC ClassDS341 .J64 2006
WebsiteOfficial website

A Region in Turmoil: South Asian Conflicts since 1947 is a scholarly nonfiction book written by Rob Johnson and published by Reaktion Books, London, in 2005.[1][2][3][4]

Synopsis

John H. Gill, reviewing the book for The Journal of Military History, defines the region of South Asia as encompassing a territory that extends from Afghanistan to Bangladesh. He says the author also includes Burma (present day Myanmar) to enable discussion of border concerns it has with India. Gill also says, the author further elaborates on other issues pertaining to this smaller region.[1] Gill additionally observes that the author maintains an objective, but not sterile narration.

The book overviews the numerous conflicts that have occurred in the region since the British withdrawal after World War II. In doing so, this overview outlines the interconnections between the forms of volatile conflicts; the roots of the tensions and disputes, including religion, ethnic tension, ideology, and historical experiences; while also connecting the results.[1][2] This method allows the author to portray the diverse settings for violent behavior in this southern region. This approach illuminates the complex interrelations that are involved.[1][2][4]

Thus, this book is a comparative study of the parallels drawn from the variety of conflicts occurring since 1947. These conflicts share a common methodology including "armed confrontations, insurrections, communal riots, insurgencies, acts of terrorism, and wars."[4] The nations involved are: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar. Also, global influences impact this region in the form of "conflicts, insurgency, terror, and peace making."[4] Such influences also result in diasporas but the effects of nationalism from abroad are not covered.[2]

Reception

The critique of this work is mixed. For instance, R.D. Long writing for Choice says, "Johnson has provided a sophisticated and informative analysis. Summing Up: Highly recommended." However, John H. Gill, of The Journal of Military History, among other criticisms says "...the narrative traverses the broad features of South Asia's political-diplomatic and military history rather erratically without giving sufficient focus to the themes raised in the introduction." He also says the book introduces errors in some of the events it covers.[1]

Chapters

Below are the titles of the book chapters:[5]

  1. The significance of conflicts in South Asia
  2. Conflicts in India
  3. Conflicts in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar
  4. Global influences on South Asian conflicts
  5. The Kashmir dispute, 1947-2004
  6. The India-China conflict of 1962
  7. The India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, and the Bangladesh war of independence
  8. Afghanistan : the Soviet occupation, 1979–89
  9. Afghanistan : the Civil War, 1989-2001
  10. Insurgency, terror and peace-making
  11. Conclusion : points of conflict in South Asia

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Gill, John H. (2007). "Reviewed work: A Region in Turmoil: South Asian Conflicts since 1947, Rod Johnson; Kargil: From Surprise to Victory, V. P. Malik". The Journal of Military History. 71 (1): 292–293. doi:10.1353/jmh.2007.0025. JSTOR 4138108. S2CID 162276401.
  2. ^ a b c d Talbot, Ian (2006). "Reviewed work: A Region in Turmoil: South Asian Conflicts since 1947, Rob Johnson". The English Historical Review. 121 (491): 643–644. doi:10.1093/ehr/cel092. JSTOR 3806227.
  3. ^ Ganguly, Sumit (2006). "Reviewed work: A Region in Turmoil: South Asian Conflicts Since 1947, Rob Johnson". Pacific Affairs. 79 (3): 550–551. JSTOR 40022117.
  4. ^ a b c d "A region in turmoil: South Asian conflicts since 1947". Choice (Middletown). 43 (10). 2006. ProQuest
  5. ^ A Region in Turmoil: South Asian Conflicts since 1947. University of Chicago Press. Retrieved August 22, 2022. Distributed for Reaktion Books.